A "Spectacular" Messigny

Stephen Emmerson

"Variant Chess" Informal Tourney 1997/1998

2nd H.M.

h#3

Messigny Chess*

 1.Ba4<->Bb2 + Ka1-b1 2.Bb2-c1 Kb1-a1 3.Bc1-b2 + Ba4<->Bb2 #**

* As a move, a side can swap the squares of one of his own pieces with a similar opposite pieces. A swap may not be undone by the opponent on the immediate next move.

** "Spectacular! The final seems to be identical with the initial position... How can this be? Well, it is the Messigny rule that a piece exchange may not immediately be reversed. A wonderful miniature construction" (Hans Gruber, "Variant Chess". V, 35, Spring 2000, p. 50).